Well then, again, all I can say is that Artie REALLY does NOT deserve the flack he's been getting. I mean, we gave Steve a chance when we lost Jim, and he's managed to keep Kermit and Ernie alive all these years... Steve Whitmire isn't Jim Henson, but that doesn't mean he's better, or worse, just different. Likewise, Artie Esposito isn't Steve Whitmire, and he isn't better or worse, just different, and personally, I think he does a pretty good job at Kermit and Ernie; Kermit has a really unique voice, because his rather close to Jim's natural voice (I know what that's like, I have to be really conscious while performing Steve D'Monster since his voice is close to my own as well), and it's not an easy task to try to replicate that, and considering that Kermit IS the center of the Muppet universe, those are some REALLY big shoes to fill, so it's probably harrowing enough just trying to perform Kermit without people bashing you and telling you you did a terrible job.

Again, I think Artie does just fine, in fact, I think his Kermit actually sounds pretty similar to Jim's in a way, so I don't see what people's issue is, if it's simply because he's not Steve, without even remembering that Steve was not Jim either.

I think the main reason he got flack was because it was totally unexpected. Like literally, out of the blue and for no real reason. We were expecting Steve and when we got Artie instead, of course we reacted badly. Though to be fair, we were more concerned with what happened to Steve.

I think the main reason he got flack was because it was totally unexpected. Like literally, out of the blue and for no real reason. We were expecting Steve and when we got Artie instead, of course we reacted badly. Though to be fair, we were more concerned with what happened to Steve.

Click to expand...

It was the other shoe waiting to drop that bugged us. Nothing was happening with Steve that we know of, and it was just those two times. But let's just say Steve's not going to be around forever, so I guess they were trying with a back up just in case. Other than the fact it caught us off guard, I agree there was no call to give someone who's life long dream was to work for the Muppets flack for fulfilling it.

I think more of us were annoyed by Disney at that point. We thought they were doing something underhanded.

If this is Artie doing Ernie's voice then he's pretty good. At least the voice is good. My main issue with Artie's Kermit was the puppetry and Kermit's singing voice. Steve has made Kermit into a rather good singer. Jim could carry a tune but not to the extent Steve can. Artie was not that great, though to be fair the song wasn't either. It's possible with work Artie could one day take over for Steve and if he does I hope Steve is involved in the transfer to help guide and coach him. I still think of Steve as the kid of the group but he's 53. In a few years it will be time to start looking for an understudy.

It's always odd to be browsing MC and find my name come up in a thread I'm reading Just to dispel any rumors, nope, this is not me. Chances are it was a voice over artist, and not a puppeteer. If you're interested in hearing my Ernie voice it's on my website: http://artworkbyartie.weebly.com/voices.html.

It's always odd to be browsing MC and find my name come up in a thread I'm reading Just to dispel any rumors, nope, this is not me. Chances are it was a voice over artist, and not a puppeteer. If you're interested in hearing my Ernie voice it's on my website: http://artworkbyartie.weebly.com/voices.html.

It's always odd to be browsing MC and find my name come up in a thread I'm reading Just to dispel any rumors, nope, this is not me. Chances are it was a voice over artist, and not a puppeteer. If you're interested in hearing my Ernie voice it's on my website: http://artworkbyartie.weebly.com/voices.html.

Click to expand...

So you're really Artie? I had no idea, it's nice knowing that actual Muppeteers mingle in with the rest of us Muppet Freaks on MC from time to time.

It's always odd to be browsing MC and find my name come up in a thread I'm reading Just to dispel any rumors, nope, this is not me. Chances are it was a voice over artist, and not a puppeteer. If you're interested in hearing my Ernie voice it's on my website: http://artworkbyartie.weebly.com/voices.html.

Well then, again, all I can say is that Artie REALLY does NOT deserve the flack he's been getting. I mean, we gave Steve a chance when we lost Jim, and he's managed to keep Kermit and Ernie alive all these years... Steve Whitmire isn't Jim Henson, but that doesn't mean he's better, or worse, just different. Likewise, Artie Esposito isn't Steve Whitmire, and he isn't better or worse, just different, and personally, I think he does a pretty good job at Kermit and Ernie; Kermit has a really unique voice, because his rather close to Jim's natural voice (I know what that's like, I have to be really conscious while performing Steve D'Monster since his voice is close to my own as well), and it's not an easy task to try to replicate that, and considering that Kermit IS the center of the Muppet universe, those are some REALLY big shoes to fill, so it's probably harrowing enough just trying to perform Kermit without people bashing you and telling you you did a terrible job.

Again, I think Artie does just fine, in fact, I think his Kermit actually sounds pretty similar to Jim's in a way, so I don't see what people's issue is, if it's simply because he's not Steve, without even remembering that Steve was not Jim either.

Click to expand...

I just thought I'd put in my two cents here before they close this thread (I know that happens often when we get to talking about this). I see what you mean and I never really bashed Artie. As sad as it is to think about us someday Steve may no longer be with us and Artie will take over as and maybe as well, but hopefully that won't be for a long time. We all know that Steve is the official performer of these characters and hopefully will continue with them for as long as he is able. (Recall 'One Muppet, one voice.') I just feel that Jim is the heart of Kermit while Steve is the soul. Correct me if I got that backwards.

Wow! Artie actually posted here. I started this post before I read his. Anyway, Artie it's good to hear from you and we hope you didn't take offense at anything we said. I'll check out your site when I get a chance.